ATLAS OF THE CHRISTIAN MONUMENTS OF THE AEGEAN - page 280

Avdou.
Choumeriako.
CRETE
282
494. Choumeriako, Panagia (Χουμεριάκω, Παναγία)
488.
Avdou.
Near Avdou are remnants of an Early Christian basilica with
mosaic floors. Saint Constantine contains frescoes by Manuel
and Ioannis (1444-5), among the most important of the
Constantinopolitan-style art of the Phokas family. The spon-
sor’s inscription mentions the painters, the sponsoring priest
Manuel, and the date. It is remarkable that, although it was a
period of Venetian occupation, the inscription also included
the name of the Byzantine Emperor Ioannis Palaeologus, dur-
ing whose reign the church was decorated. From the wall-
paintings of Saint Anthony there survive evangelical scenes in
the barrel vault and a full-body saint on the S wall, dating from
the third quarter of the 14th c. The large church of Panagia is
a domed, free cross plan structure. It features brickwork deco-
rations and, in the blind drum, a remarkable doorframe with
a pointed arch of Gothic style, which gradually prevailed in
Cretan churches of the period of Venetian rule. The extensive
iconographical programme in the barrel-vaulted, single-nave
church of Saint George includes scenes from the saint’s life
(late 14th c.).
phases. There are distinctive scenes from the life of the Vir-
gin Mary in the barrel vault instead of the evangelical cycle, a
practice that has been observed in other catholicons; scenes
from the life of the honoured saint are still included. The origi-
nal decoration dates from the 14th c. The numerous evangeli-
cal depictions extend to the barrel-vault of the nave, and the
Second Coming on the barrel vault of the S aisle, date from
the mid-14th c. On the E wall of the S aisle is a large Crucifix-
ion of the second half of the 14th c.
490.
Malia.
An Early Christian three-aisled basilica has been indicated at
Malia, while in the nave of Saint George folk-style wall-paint-
ings of the second half of the 14th c. are preserved.
491.
Latsida.
The apse of Panagia Keragoniotissa has wall-paintings of the
Virgin Mary praying and of the Lamb of God among officiating
prelates (late 14th c.).
492.
Neapolis.
In Aghios Onuphrios, catholicon of a small monastery, are
frescoes of provincial style dating from the second half of the
14th c.
493.
Limnes.
Saint John is a barrel-vaulted, single-nave church with wall-
paintings in Palaeologan style (late 14th c.)
494.
Choumeriako.
The name of this village originates with the Byzantine Chou-
meriakos family. In the centre is the cross-in-square church of
Panagia, which has suffered extensive damage and degrada-
tion. From the wall-paintings there only survives the Pantokra-
tor in the dome, work of the mid-13th c.
489.
Kera.
The catholicon of the Panagia Kardiotissa monastery (14th c.)
was formed gradually with the addition of three barrel-vaulted
aisles and transverse narthex to the original aisleless church.
The wall-painted decoration matches the various building
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